Cover Letters!

Do you really need a cover letter when you submit your resume? According to Sarah E. Needleman of the Wall Street Journal thinks so. She says, "applicants who take the time to craft a cover letter stand a fair chance at setting themselves apart. And given the stiff competition for jobs these days, career experts say writing an introductory note may be worth the effort, especially for career-changers and individuals whose resumes show a red flag, such as employment gap."

I'd never heard of a cover letter until recently, but I can see the benefits of writing one. Instead of just submitting a resume filled with data and facts, you should write a cover letter to accompany it so you'll stand out to an employer. A cover letter allows you to speak and "sell yourself" before meeting a potential employer face-to-face. Consider a cover letter to be an ice-breaker and a head start on an interview. Sarah E. Needleman also stated, "cover letters are ideal for clearing up anything in a resume that might confuse or concern recruiters."

Cover letters should be brief and focus on how your strengths and skills apply to the job you want. Make sure you proofread your cover letter before attaching it to your resume. Sarah E. Needleman quoted an employer, Ms. Shanahan, who looks at cover letters. Ms. Shanahan says, "Sloppiness can automatically eliminate an applicant from consideration. The person's resume and credentials would have to be really outstanding to compensate, and many recruiters may not look past the cover letter to make that assessment."

You need a cover letter to persuade an employer to hire you. I'm convinced that a well written cover letter allows you to stand out. All you need to do is take the time to write one for each specific job you apply for.